"Which Finger Do You Pick?"

I am an avid sports fan. I watch baseball, football, basketball, boxing and even wrestling. I realize wrestling is considered more entertainment than sport, but it still requires superb physical conditioning and reflex. During athletic events there are sometimes questionable calls from the officials. I have seen some legendary managers and coaches engaged in some “heated debates” with umpires and referees; screaming, stomping and finger pointing were, and still are, commonplace during these altercations. The official almost always wins these “discussions”. This behavior is the reason that the NFL now has the “instant replay challenge rule”, used to review a play that the coach finds questionable: some fans like this rule, some don’t. I believe if a play can alter the outcome of a game and an error can be corrected, then it certainly has worth.

Recently, we have seen a controversy develop over a situation between President Barack Obama and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. When President Obama arrived in Arizona he was met by Governor Brewer and a discussion took place away from the earshot of the press. It seemed as if this discussion became a little emotional as Governor Brewer held her finger up to Mr. Obama’s face, as one trying to make a point.

In the past, Governor Brewer has had her problems with Mr. Obama over Arizona’s immigration enforcement policies, which seem to be in opposition to Mr. Obama’s plan of “veiled amnesty”. Although political figures try to put on “happy faces” while in public, it is obvious there is no “love lost” between Obama and Brewer. Brewer as a conservative who believes in strict border control and less government interference in business, while Obama as a far left liberal who wants our border to be an open screen door and heavy government control in all facets of life, creates an atmosphere of “oil and water” together. Brewer was trying to show the President how far Arizona has come during our national economic crisis, touting results of conservative cuts and an accomplishment of being number ten in job creation since this crisis. She gave the president a most cordial letter describing her feelings to the President (the full text is available on-line).

Well, it seems Jesse Jackson feels that Governor Brewer was “out of line” when she held up her finger while speaking to Obama. Jackson said “(She should) put her hands in her pockets”, “She was cutting him down to size. She must never get away with that.” He even compared her to George Wallace addressing Martin Luther King. Could this be another attempt to inject racism into politics from another liberal “cry baby”?

Mr. Jackson needs to understand that Obama and Brewer are “elected to office” and neither has an appointment from God. Obama’s snub to Brewer in Washington was just as inappropriate as Brewer’s finger; this stuff happens in politics! I believe every citizen has the right to “shove a finger” in the face of any elected official when they refuse to listen to reason. The OCCUPY movement is “shoving a finger” in the face of authority on a daily basis, yet Mr. Jackson applauds their actions, while condemning the TEA Party movement, which has been peaceful and lawful.

I applaud Governor Brewer for not holding back in her “discussion” with Mr. Obama, and I hope she made her point. Perhaps, in November, Mr. Obama will see another “finger” in his face from the American voter, and it won’t be an index finger!